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Preparations |
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A tincture is a solution of a substance in alcohol. It is made by steeping any part of the dried plant or fresh herb in a 25% mixture of alcohol and water. Alcohol is used to extract the plant’s natural ingredients as well as acting as a preservative. The herb should be placed in a large jar and covered with the alcohol/water mixture. To obtain the alcohol/water mixture, dilute a 75cl bottle of alcohol (approximately 37.5%) with 37.5ml of water This should be sealed for two weeks. The mixture should then be pressed through a wine press into a jug. This can then be poured into a dark glass bottle. A standard quantity of herb would be 200g to 600g to 1litre of alcohol/water mixture. A standard dose is 5ml three times a day, which is then diluted in water. Tinctures should be made from only one herb. However, they can be combined as required. They should keep for over two years. Infusions or diluted tinctures can be used to bathe wounds, sores, skin rashes, ulcers or other skin conditions. Soak a pad of cotton wool in the wash and bathe the affected area from the centre outward. Homoeopathic pills are made from either plant, or animal and mineral extracts and then diluted to varying degrees. The more diluted the remedies become, the more potent and effectively they work. Remedies derived from soluble substances, such as animal or plant extracts, are made by combining the raw material in a 90% pure alcohol and 10% pure water mixture. Insoluble substances, such as gold, silver and graphite must first be made soluble by a process known as trituration. This involves grinding the substance down until it becomes soluble. The mixture is left to stand for 2-4 weeks and then strained through a press. Different potencies can then be created using a dilution process. This involves taking one drop and adding it to 99 drops of alcohol/water mixture to produce a 1c potency. Between each stage of dilution the tincture is succussed (shaken vigorously). Most popular potencies found in chemists and health food shops tend to be 6c and 30c, although higher and lower potencies can be obtained. These are usually prescribed under the guidance of a qualified homoeopath. Remedies are available as lactose tablets, pillules, powder and granules. They can also be given in tincture and in liquid form. An infusion is made in much the same way as tea. The water should be just off the boil. The herb is placed in a pot with a close fitting lid and hot water is poured over it. This is left for 10 minutes before straining into a teacup. The infusion should be made fresh daily and can be drunk hot or cold. The standard quantity is 30g to 75g of the herb to 500ml of water. This is a more involved extraction process than an infusion. The parts of the herb used tend to be the roots, bark, twigs and some berries. The herb is heated in a saucepan in cold water. It is brought to the boil and simmered for one hour. This is then strained though a sieve into a teacup and can be drunk either hot or cold. The decoction should be made daily. Standard quantities are 30g of dried herb or 60g fresh herb to 750ml of water. One cup can be drunk three times a day. This is used to accelerate wound healing and injuries to muscles. A poultice is generally applied hot, but cold fresh leaves are also suitable. Using the whole herb, which is boiled for 3 minutes, then any liquid is squeezed out. The fresh herb is spread on the skin and gauze or cotton strip is applied to hold the poultice in place. Place a little oil on the skin to prevent the herb from sticking. This is made from the active plant ingredients which are extracted in the oil and used in massage oils, creams and ointments. Infused oils can be made either using the hot ( comfrey, chickweed, rosemary) or cold method (St. John’s wort). Hot infusions involve placing 250g to 750g of the fresh herb in 500ml of sunflower oil in a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water. This is heated gently for 3 hours. The mixture is then poured into a jelly or muslin bag and strained through a wine press. This can then be poured into an airtight storage bottle. A cold infusion involves tightly packing enough flower heads into a large jar with 1 litre of cold pressed oil. The jar should be left in a well-lit area, preferably a windowsill for two to three weeks. The mixture is then poured into a jelly bag over a jug. The oil is squeezed through the bag and then the process is repeated using new herbs and the already infused oil. After a few weeks, this can be strained again and stored. Most essential oils irritate the skin and should be diluted before using in a massage. A cream is a mixture of water with added fats or oils used to soften and treat the skin. The standard quantities needed are 150g emulsifying ointment, which is a mixture of oils and waxes that blend with water, 70ml of glycerine, 80ml of water and 30g of dried herb. Firstly, melt the fats and water in a bowl over a pan of boiling water. The herb is then added and heated gently for three hours. The mixture is then strained through a jelly bag into a bowl and stirred until cold. This can then be put into storage jars using a small palette knife. Creams will last for several months and the above method is suitable for most herbs. A lotion is a water based mixture that is applied to the skin to relieve irritation or inflammations. Designed to cool or soothe the skin – a typical lotion may include 40ml rosewater, 20ml of borage juice, 20ml of distilled witch hazel and 20ml of chickweed tincture. This can be applied on cotton wool two or three times a day.
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